Flying High in the Royal Australian Air Force

Congratulations to current Year 12 student Zoe Baguley in becoming a successful applicant in joining the Royal Australian Air Force for 2025, as part of their Air Force Security Gap Year Program. 

Zoe was connected with a careers coach through the Defence Force recruitment centre who helped Zoe ascertain her preference in area of work, and helped match some of her personality traits with a line of work that would compliment her strengths. It was here that the Air Force was put forward as a potential career path.

Zoe undertook an online aptitude test and participated in a medical assessment, testing her sight, hearing, breathing and general movement abilities. This was followed by a written test relating to personal strengths and the ability to deal with members of the public, psychological assessment and a job interview assessing applicants interest and values in the chosen career path. 

Between 2020 and 2022 Zoe was a part of the Wangaratta Army Cadets which saw her engage in a number of field training camps, complete first aid exercises, and firearm practices at the range in Puckapunyal.

In August 2022, the Wangaratta RSL provided a workshop for school students regarding the Bob Iskov Kokoda Scholarship which funds local year 11 students to travel to Papua New Guinea and trek the Kokoda Track. Zoe submitted a presentation on the history the Women’s Land Army Formation and later attended an interview where she was successful in receiving a scholarship as part of the program. Along the track, Tim Bull (Gippsland East MP) who attended the trek, spoke with students about the history of Kokoda and stories of veterans experiences which greatly interested Zoe. 

Mid last year Zoe began working as a waitress at the Wangaratta RSL. Zoe said she was drawn to the fun and friendly environment and has since enjoyed speaking to a lot of patrons who have previously served in the Defence Force who encouraged Zoe to follow a career-path in the force. 

Zoe was a member of the Wangaratta High School Peer Ed program which involves students in year 10 and 11 attending training sessions with the local GOTAFE and later assisting on year 7 camp and other activities with younger students to encourage a safe space for communicating issues or discussing hardship. Zoe has also undertaken positions of leadership within the school as Band Captain in years 9 and 12 and House Captain (King House) in year 12, which reinforced her leadership and communicative abilities which will in turn lend themselves to her chosen careerpath.

Currently, start dates have not been allocated but are expected to be announced in the coming months in line with commencement in January of 2025. Six weeks prior to the start date recruits will complete a physical assessment and Zoe will submit her VCE certificate, as the last steps before commencing training.

Initial recruit training will cover basic skills and run for three months in Wagga Wagga, NSW after which point Zoe will then relocate to Amberley in QLD for three months, undertaking training of her specific role. 

Training makes up six months of the gap year and the remainder of the year recruits are posted around all locations throughout Australia being mentored in the role. Full time mentor and teaching them how to do things. 

After the 12 months, recruits may be offered a full time position within their area of expertise. The gap year program is a great taste of what a career in the Royal Australian Air Force could be, allowing recruits to gain the skills and knowledge in the basics of the role. 

Zoe describes herself as independent, hard working and determined to try new things, all of which she believes will contribute to success in this field of work. 

We wish nothing but the best for Zoe for the remainder of her senior year at Wangaratta High School and look forward to hearing about her adventures in the Air Force.